Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce (1945)
Born	Lucille Fay LeSueur March 23, 1905(1905-03-23)[1][2] San Antonio, Texas, USA
Died	May 10, 1977 (aged 72) New York City, New York, USA
Years active	1925 - 1972
Spouse(s)	Douglas Fairbanks, Jr (1929-1933) Franchot Tone (1935-1939) Phillip Terry (1942-1946) Alfred Steele (1956-1959)

Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; (March 23, 1905 – May 10, 1977)^[1][2] was an Academy Award-winning American actress. Mildred Pierce ( 1945) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Jack Carson, Zachary Events 1174 - Jocelin, Abbot of Melrose, is elected Bishop of Glasgow. Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays The City of New York Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr, KBE, DSC ( December 9, 1909 &ndash May 7, 2000) was an American Actor Franchot Tone ( February 27, 1905 &ndash September 18, 1968) was an American Actor. Phillip Terry ( March 7, 1909 &ndash February 23, 1993) was an American Actor. Alfred Nu Steele ( 24 April 1901 – 4 April 1959) was a US Soft drink businessman Events 1174 - Jocelin, Abbot of Melrose, is elected Bishop of Glasgow. Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works Crawford is named as the tenth Greatest Female Star of All Time by the American Film Institute. Part of the AFI 100 Years series, AFI's 100 Years 100 Stars is a list of the top 50 stars of American cinema The American Film Institute ( AFI) is an independent Non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967

Starting as a dancer on Broadway,^[3] Crawford was signed to a motion picture contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in 1925 and initially played small parts. Dance (from French danser, perhaps from Frankish) is an Art form that generally refers to movement of the body usually rhythmic Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located A contract is an exchange of promises between two or more parties to do or refrain from doing an act which is enforceable in a court of law A movie studio (aka film studio) is in the established sense of the term a company that distributes films. By the end of the '20s she became a famous flapper. The term flapper in the 1920s referred to a "new breed" of young Women who wore short skirts bobbed their hair listened to the new Jazz music Beginning in the 1930s, Crawford's fame rivaled fellow MGM colleagues Norma Shearer and Greta Garbo. Edith Norma Shearer (August 10 1900 - June 12 1983 was an Academy Award&ndashwinning Canadian-American actress. Greta Garbo ( 18 September 1905 &ndash 15 April 1990) was a Swedish-American actress during Hollywood 's She often played hardworking young women who find romance and financial success. These "rags to riches" stories were well-received by Depression-era audiences and were popular with women. By the end of the decade, Crawford remained one of Hollywood's most prominent movie stars, and one of the highest paid women in the U.S.

For her performance in Mildred Pierce, Crawford won an Academy Award and in the following years, achieved some of her best reviews. For other uses including various songs titled "Movie Star" see Movie star (disambiguation. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Mildred Pierce ( 1945) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Jack Carson, Zachary In 1955, she became involved with PepsiCo, the company run by her last husband, Alfred Steele. PepsiCo Incorporated (Short for Pepsi Company ( is a large conglomerate with interests in manufacturing marketing and selling a wide variety of carbonated and non- carbonated Alfred Nu Steele ( 24 April 1901 – 4 April 1959) was a US Soft drink businessman After his death in 1959, Crawford was elected to fill his vacancy on the board of directors but was forcibly retired in 1973. She continued acting regularly into the 1960s, when her performances became fewer, and after the release of the horror film Trog in 1970, retired from the screen. Trog ( 1970) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford in a story about the discovery of a caveman

Early life

Crawford was born Lucille Fay LeSueur in San Antonio, Texas, the third child of Tennessee-born Thomas E. Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. LeSueur (1868–1938) and Anna Bell Johnson (1884–1958). Her older siblings were Daisy LeSueur, who died very young, and Hal LeSueur. Hal LeSueur ( September 3, 1903 &ndash May 3, 1963) was an American Actor. Although Crawford was of mostly English descent, her surname originated from her great-great-great-great grandparents, David LeSueur and Elizabeth Chastain, French Huguenots who immigrated from London in the early 1700s to Virginia. British people, or Britons, are the native inhabitants of Great Britain and their descendants or citizens of the United Kingdom, of the This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France (or French Calvinists) from the sixteenth to the eighteenth Immigration refers to the movement of people among countries While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels modern immigration implies long-term London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state ^[4]

Crawford later said when she was a few months old her father abandoned the family. Her mother later married Henry J. Cassin. The family lived where Cassin ran a movie theater in Lawton, Oklahoma. Cinemaaustraliajpg|thumb|A movie theater in Australia ]]A movie theater, movie theatre, picture theatre or cinema is a venue Lawton is a city in and the County seat of Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States. The 1910 Comanche County, Oklahoma, Federal Census, enumerated on April 20, showed Henry and Anna living at 910 "D" Street in Lawton. Comanche County is a County located in the US state of Oklahoma. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population Crawford was listed as five years old, thus showing 1905 as her likely year of birth. However, the state of Texas did not require the filing of birth certificates until 1908, allowing Crawford to later claim she was born in 1908.

Growing up, Crawford preferred the nickname "Billie," and she loved watching vaudeville acts perform on the stage of her stepfather's theater. Vaudeville was a Genre of variety entertainment prevalent on the stage in the United States and Canada, from the early 1880s Her ambition was to be a dancer. Dance (from French danser, perhaps from Frankish) is an Art form that generally refers to movement of the body usually rhythmic However, in an attempt to escape piano lessons to run and play with friends, she leapt from the front porch of her home and cut her foot deeply on a broken milk bottle. Crawford had three operations and was unable to attend elementary school for a year and a half. She eventually fully recovered and returned to dancing.

Around 1916, Crawford's family moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City Missouri only Items for the metro area Kansas City Kansas or North Kansas City MO should go on their respective pages Cassin was first listed in the City Directory in 1917, living at 403 East Ninth Street. While still in elementary school, Crawford was placed in St. Agnes Academy, a Catholic school in Kansas City. Catholic is an Adjective derived from the Greek adjective '' / 'katholikos' meaning "whole" or "complete". Later, after her mother and stepfather broke up, she stayed on at St. Agnes as a work student. She then went to Rockingham Academy as a work student. In 1922, Crawford registered at the posh Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and gave her year of birth as 1906. Stephens College is a liberal arts women's college located in Columbia, Missouri, a city of about 100000 residents Columbia (kəˈlʌmbiə is the fifth-largest city in the US state of Missouri and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. She attended Stephens for less than a year, however, as she recognized that she was not academically prepared for college.

Career

Early career

Joan Crawford in 1927

Under the name Lucille LeSueur Crawford began dancing in the chorus line at the Winter Gardens on Broadway in New York City. A chorus line is a substantial group of Dancers who together perform Synchronized routines usually in Musical theatre. Broadway, as the name implies is a wide avenue in New York City. The City of New York She wanted additional work and approached Loews Theaters publicist Nils Granlund. Loews Theatres, aka Loews Incorporated, founded in 1904 by Marcus Loew, was the oldest theater chain operating in North America until it merged with Nils T Granlund ( September 29, 1890 &ndash April 21, 1957) was an American Broadway show producer Radio industry pioneer Granlund secured LeSueur a position with producer Harry Richmond's act and arranged for her to do a screen test which he sent to producer Harry Rapf in Hollywood. Harry Rapf ( 16 October 1882 New York City &ndash 6 February 1949 Los Angeles) was a Jewish American producer Rapf notified Granlund on December 24, 1924 that a contract would be offered by MGM, and Granlund immediately wired LeSueur - who had returned to her mother's home in Kansas City - with the news and $400 for travel expenses. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[5] The night after Christmas she left Kansas City and arrived in Culver City, California. Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County California.

As Lucille LeSueur, her first film was in the silent film Pretty Ladies in 1925, which starred ZaSu Pitts. Pretty Ladies ( 1925) is a film starring Zasu Pitts, and marked the first credited appearance of "Lucille Le Sueur" soon to be known as Joan ZaSu Pitts ( January 3,  &ndash June 7,) (ˈzeɪsuː ˈpɪts was an American Film Actress who starred in many silent Pretty Ladies was the only time she professionally used her birth name. Pretty Ladies ( 1925) is a film starring Zasu Pitts, and marked the first credited appearance of "Lucille Le Sueur" soon to be known as Joan Crawford is quoted saying it was Sam De Grasse who said her name LeSueur sounded too much like 'sewer. Samuel Alfred de Grasse (born June 12, 1875, died November 29, 1953) was a Canadian actor ' ^[6] A female contestant in a fan magazine named, Movie Weekly, entered the name Joan Crawford. Though Crawford reportedly said the name sounded like "crawfish" - and also requested that Joan be pronounced the same as "Joanne" - she eventually chose it as her stage name. A stage name, also called a screen name, is a Pseudonym used by Performers and Entertainers such as Her friend, actor William Haines, quipped, "You're lucky. Charles William Haines ( January 2, 1900 &ndash December 26, 1973) was an American film actor who was one of the most notable film stars They could have called you Cranberry and served you up with a Turkey!"

Crawford first made an impression on audiences in Edmund Goulding's Sally, Irene and Mary (1925), in which she played Irene, a struggling chorus girl. Edmund Goulding ( March 20, 1891 - December 24, 1959) was a film director Sally Irene and Mary is a 1925 film starring Constance Bennett, Sally O'Neil, and Joan Crawford. In the same year, Crawford worked on Lady of the Night, starring Norma Shearer. Lady of the Night is a 1925 American Sentimental silent Drama film directed by Monta Bell. Edith Norma Shearer (August 10 1900 - June 12 1983 was an Academy Award&ndashwinning Canadian-American actress. As Crawford was made up and used as a double for Shearer, her face is briefly seen. Because of how well Shearer was treated compared to herself, Crawford resented Shearer. The following year, Crawford was named one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars, along with Mary Astor, Mary Brian, Dolores Costello, Dolores Del Rio, Janet Gaynor and Fay Wray. The WAMPAS Baby Stars was a promotional campaign sponsored by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers in the United States, which honored thirteen young Mary Astor ( May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987) was an Academy Award -winning American Actress. Mary Brian ( February 17, 1906 – December 30, 2002) was an American Actress and Movie star who made the Dolores Costello ( September 17, 1903 – March 1, 1979) was an American Film Actress who achieved her greatest Dolores del Río ( August 3, 1905 &ndash April 11, 1983) was a Mexican Film actress. Janet Gaynor ( October 6, 1906 &ndash September 14, 1984) was an American actress. Vina Fay Wray ( September 15, 1907 &ndash August 8, 2004) was a Canadian &ndash American actress and the first For the next two years, Crawford appeared in increasingly important movies. In 1926, she made Paris, where she was able to show her sex appeal. Paris is a 1926 MGM Silent film, written and directed by Edmund Goulding. She became the romantic interest for some of MGM's leading male stars, among them Ramon Novarro, William Haines, John Gilbert and Tim McCoy. Ramón Novarro ( February 2, 1899 - October 30, 1968) was a Mexican Actor who achieved fame as a " Latin lover Charles William Haines ( January 2, 1900 &ndash December 26, 1973) was an American film actor who was one of the most notable film stars John Gilbert ( July 10, 1899 - January 9, 1936) was an American actor and major star of the Silent film era Timothy John Fitzgerald "Tim" McCoy (born April 10, 1891 - died January 29, 1978) was an American Actor.

Joan Crawford in 1928

Crawford's appeared in The Unknown (1927), starring Lon Chaney, Sr. who played a carnival knife thrower with no arms. The Unknown ( 1927) is a silent Horror film directed by Tod Browning and featuring Lon Chaney Lon Chaney ( April 1 1883 &ndash August 26 1930) nicknamed " The Man of a Thousand Faces," was an American Crawford played his skimpily clad young carnival assistant whom he hopes to marry. She stated that she learned more about acting from watching Chaney work in this movie than from anything else in her long career.

In 1928, Crawford starred opposite Ramon Novarro, as Priscilla Crowninshield in Across to Singapore, but it was her role as Diana Medford in Our Dancing Daughters (1928) that catapulted her to stardom. Ramón Novarro ( February 2, 1899 - October 30, 1968) was a Mexican Actor who achieved fame as a " Latin lover Across to Singapore is a 1928 Silent film by director William Nigh starring Ramon Novarro and Joan Crawford. Our Dancing Daughters is a 1928 MGM silent Drama film about the "loosening of youth morals" that took place during the 1920s Events Although some movies released in 1928 had sound, most were still silent. The role established her as a symbol of modern 1920s-style femininity that rivaled the image of Clara Bow, who was then Hollywood's foremost flapper. The 1920s is sometimes referred to as the " Jazz Age " or the " Roaring Twenties " when speaking about the United States and Canada Clara Gordon Bow ( July 29, 1905 &ndash September 27 1965) was an American Actress and Sex symbol, who rose to fame The term flapper in the 1920s referred to a "new breed" of young Women who wore short skirts bobbed their hair listened to the new Jazz music A stream of hits followed Our Dancing Daughters, including two more flapper-themed movies, in which Crawford embodied for her legion of fans (many of whom were women) an idealized vision of the free-spirited, all-American girl.

To rid herself of her Southwestern accent Crawford tirelessly studied diction and elocution. The Southwestern area of the United States could be defined as the states west of the Mississippi River, with the qualification of a certain northern limit such as the 37 In Linguistics, an accent is a manner of Pronunciation of a language Diction, in its original primary meaning refers to the writer's or the speaker's distinctive Vocabulary choices and style of expression. Elocution is the study of formal speaking in Pronunciation, Grammar, style and tone. Her first talkie was Untamed (1929), opposite Robert Montgomery, which was a box office success. A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image as opposed to a Silent film. Untamed is a 1929 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama / comedy / romance motion picture starring Joan Crawford Robert Montgomery ( May 21, 1904 &ndash September 27, 1981) was an American actor and director A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for Admission to a venue Crawford made an effective transition to sound movies. One critic wrote, "Miss Crawford sings appealingly and dances thrillingly as usual; her voice is alluring and her dramatic efforts in the difficult role she portrays are at all times convincing. "

MGM

from the film Rain (1932)

Crawford starred opposite of Clark Gable in Possessed (1931). Rain is a 1932 Motion picture directed by Lewis Milestone. The film stars Joan Crawford as Prostitute Sadie Thompson Clark Gable (February 1 &ndashNovember 16) was an iconic American Actor nicknamed "The King of Hollywood" in his heyday Possessed is a film directed by Clarence Brown, and starring Joan Crawford and Clark Gable. They began an affair during the production, resulting in an ultimatum from studio chief Louis B. Mayer to Gable that the affair end. Louis Burt Mayer (born Lazar Meir July 4, 1884 &ndash October 29, 1957) was an early Film producer, most Gable complied, although for many years their affair resumed sporadically and secretly. Upon release, Possessed was an enormous hit.

The studio cast her in the Grand Hotel, which starred the most famous actors of the 1930s and was the MGMs most prestigious movie of 1932. Grand Hotel is a 1932 MGM Pre-Code Art Deco Film that won the Best Picture Oscar. She starred as Sadie Thompson in a version of W. Somerset Maugham's Rain. Rain is a 1932 Motion picture directed by Lewis Milestone. The film stars Joan Crawford as Prostitute Sadie Thompson

Crawford achieved continued success with Letty Lynton (1932). Letty Lynton is a 1932 MGM motion picture starring Joan Crawford, Robert Montgomery and Nils Asther. Although, soon after its release a plagiarism case forced MGM to withdraw it and it has never been shown theatrically, on television, or made available on VHS/DVD, and is therefore considered the "lost" Crawford film. Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is The film is mostly remembered because of the Letty Lynton dress, designed by Adrian: a white cotton organdy gown with large mutton sleeves, puffed at the shoulder. Adrian Adolph Greenberg ( March 3, 1903 - September 13, 1959) most widely known as Adrian, was a Hollywood Costume It was with this gown that Crawford's broad shoulders began to be accentuated by costume; this would become a trademark for the actress along with, later in her career, emphasized eyebrows and ankle strap shoes. Macy's copied the Letty Lynton dress in 1932 and it sold over 500,000 replicas nationwide. Macy's is a chain of mid-range American Department stores Its Flagship store in Herald Square, New York City has been billed ^[7]

Following Possessed, Crawford starred opposite of Gable in the rollicking smash hit Dancing Lady (1933), in which Crawford received top billing. Dancing Lady is a 1933 musical Motion picture starring Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Franchot Tone. Crawford's next movies with Gable, Chained (1934) and Forsaking All Others (also 1934), were among the top money makers of the mid-1930s, and marked Crawford's peak as a popular star at the box office for MGM. Chained is a 1934 Motion picture directed by Clarence Brown, and starring Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Otto Forsaking All Others is a 1934 Motion picture directed by WS Van Dyke, and starring Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and

from the trailer for The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937)

By the end of the decade Crawford's characters were defined as much by their glamorous clothing, accessories, and styled hair and make-up as by any character trait. The Last of Mrs Cheyney is a 1937 drama/comedy Motion picture starring Joan Crawford, William Powell, Robert Montgomery However, eventually Crawford's movies began to lose money. She was labeled "box-office poison" along with Katharine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West and Fred Astaire in 1938. Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage Greta Garbo ( 18 September 1905 &ndash 15 April 1990) was a Swedish-American actress during Hollywood 's Marlene Dietrich maɐˈleːnə ˈdiːtrɪç (December 27 &ndashMay 6) was a German -born American Actress, Singer and Entertainer Mae West (August 17 1893 &ndash November 22 1980 was an American actress, Playwright, Screenwriter, and Sex symbol. Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 &ndash June 22, 1987) was an American Academy Award

from the trailer for The Women (1939)

However, Crawford played bitchy home-wrecker Crystal Allen in director George Cukor's huge comedy success The Women in 1939. George Dewey Cukor ( July 7, 1899 – January 24, 1983) was an Academy Award -winning American Film director. She appeared in two more movies under his direction, Susan and God (1940) and A Woman's Face (1941). Susan and God ( 1940) is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Feature film starring Joan Crawford and Fredric March in a story about a A Woman's Face is a 1941 Motion picture directed by George Cukor, and starring Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas and

Eager to promote new actors Greer Garson, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Hedy Lamarr and the resurgent Katharine Hepburn, the MGM management began to view Crawford as a bad investment. Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson, CBE ( September 29, 1904 - April 6, 1996) was an English-American actress who was Lana Turner ( February 8, 1921 &ndash June 29, 1995) was an Academy Award -nominated American Film Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10 1922 – June 22 1969 was an American actress and singer Hedy Lamarr ( November 9, 1913 – January 19, 2000) was an Austrian born American actress After eighteen years Crawford's contract was terminated by mutual consent on June 29, 1943. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In lieu of one more movie owed under her contract, MGM bought out her contract for $100,000. The same day, the studio cleared out her bungalow.

Move to Warner Bros.

For five hundred thousand dollars for three movies, Crawford signed with Warner Bros. and was placed on the payroll on July 1, 1943. Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. She made a cameo with many other stars in the G. I. morale-booster Hollywood Canteen (1944).

Crawford wanted to play the title role in Mildred Pierce (1945), but Bette Davis was the studio's first choice. Mildred Pierce ( 1945) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Jack Carson, Zachary Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5 1908 – October 6 1989 was an American actress of Film, Television and Theatre. However, Davis did not want to play the mother of a seventeen year old daughter (Ann Blyth), and she turned the role down. Ann Marie Blyth (born August 16, 1928) is an Oscar-nominated American actress and Singer, often cast in Hollywood Director Michael Curtiz didn't want Crawford and told Jack Warner, "With her high-hat airs and her goddamn shoulder pads, she's a has-been. Michael Curtiz ( December 24, 1886 - April 10, 1962) was an Academy Award -winning Hungarian-American Film director " Following Barbara Stanwyck's success in Double Indemnity (1944), also based on a James M. Cain novel, Curtiz bent to Warner's demand. Barbara Stanwyck ( July 16, &ndash January 20,) was an American actress, a star of film and television known during her 60-year career as a Double Indemnity ( 1944) is an Academy Award nominated Film noir starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward James Mallahan Cain ( July 1, 1892 &ndash October 27, 1977) was an American Journalist However, Curtiz demanded Crawford prove her suitability by taking a screen test. After the test, Curtiz agreed to Crawford's casting. Crawford starred opposite Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden, Ann Blyth and Butterfly McQueen. John Elmer "Jack" Carson ( October 27 1910 &ndash January 2 1963) was a Canadian-born U Zachary Scott ( February 24, 1914 – October 3, 1965) was an American actor most notable for his roles as villains and "mystery Eve Arden ( April 30, 1908 – November 12, 1990) was an Academy Award -nominated and Emmy -winning American Ann Marie Blyth (born August 16, 1928) is an Oscar-nominated American actress and Singer, often cast in Hollywood Butterfly McQueen ( January 7, 1911 &ndash December 22, 1995) was an American Film and Television actress Mildred Pierce was a commercial success. It epitomized the lush visual style and the hard-boiled film noir sensibility that defined Warner Bros. Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation movies of the late 1940s. Crawford earned the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to

Crawford said one of the main reasons she signed with Warner Bros. was because she wanted to play the character "Mattie" in a proposed 1944 film version of Edith Wharton's novel Ethan Frome (1911). Edith Wharton ( January 24 1862 &ndash August 11 1937) was an American Novelist, Short story Writer Ethan Frome is a novel that was released in 1911 by the Pulitzer Prize -winning American author Edith Wharton. However, Davis wanted to play Mattie and reportedly told Jack Warner, "Joan's far too old, and besides, she can't act. "

Time To Sing (1947) was the a proposed film telling the story of two retired stage actresses who team up for a tour of summer stock theatres, similar to RKO's Stage Door (1937), starring Katharine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers. Summer Stock is also the title of a 1950 musical motion picture starring Judy Garland Stage Door ( 1937) is a RKO film adapted from the play by the same name that tells the story of several would-be actresses who live together in a boarding Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage Ginger Rogers ( July 16, 1911 &ndash April 25, 1995) was an Academy Award -winning American film and stage actress The project was intended to team Crawford with Davis, however, it was never made. ^[8].

Caged (1950) was a prison drama based on the novel Women Without Men by Virginia Kellogg. Virginia Kellogg ( December 3, 1907 &ndash April 8, 1981) was a film writer whose scripts for White Heat (1949 and The story surrounded a female prison warden who attempts to rehabilitate a prisoner before she becomes a hardened criminal. In 1973, Crawford said, "I knew of a women's prison picture; it was written by Virginia Kellogg and later became Caged [1950] with Eleanor Parker and Agnes Moorehead. Caged is a 1950 film tells the story of a teenage newlywed who is sent to prison for being an accessory to a robbery Eleanor Jean Parker (born June 26, 1922) is an American film and television actress Agnes Robertson Moorehead ( December 6 1900 – April 30 1974) was an American Actress. " This too was intended to pair Crawford with Davis, who made it clear that she would not be starring in any "dyke movie". ^[9]

Crawford and Davis did not appear together in a motion picture until the 1962 film, What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American Drama film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich.

Joan Crawford in 1948 photo taken by Yousuf Karsh

From 1945-1952, Crawford reigned as a top star and respected actress, appearing in such roles as Helen Wright in Humoresque (1946), Louise Howell Graham in Possessed (1947, for which she was nominated for a second Oscar as Best Actress) and the title role in Daisy Kenyon (also 1947). Humoresque ( 1946) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford and John Garfield in an older woman/younger Possessed ( 1947) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Van Heflin, and Raymond Massey Daisy Kenyon ( 1947) is a 20th Century Fox Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Henry Fonda, and Dana Andrews

Crawford's other movie roles of the era include Lane Bellamy in Flamingo Road (1949), a dual role in the film noir The Damned Don't Cry (1950) and her performance in the title role of Harriet Craig (1950) at Columbia Pictures. Flamingo Road ( 1949) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Zachary Scott, Sydney Greenstreet Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation The Damned Don't Cry! ( 1950) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford, David Brian, and Steve Cochran Harriet Craig ( 1950) is a Columbia Pictures Feature film starring Joan Crawford in a tale of an insensitive woman attached to }} Columbia Pictures Industries Inc is an American Film production and distribution company After filming This Woman Is Dangerous (1952), Crawford asked to be released from her Warner Bros. This Woman is Dangerous ( 1952) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford, David Brian, and Dennis contract. As she had done so before, Crawford triumphed as Myra Hudson in Sudden Fear (1952) at RKO, which was also the movie that introduced her co-star, Jack Palance, to the screen and earned Crawford a third and final Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Sudden Fear ( 1952) is an RKO Radio Pictures Feature film starring Joan Crawford and Jack Palance in a noir-ish Jack Palance (born Volodymyr Palahniuk; February 18, 1919 – November 10, 2006) was an Oscar -winning American

Radio and television

Crawford worked in the radio The Screen Guild Theater on January 8, 1939; Good News; Baby, broadcast March 2, 1940 on Arch Oboler's Lights Out; The Word on Everyman's Theater (1941); Chained on the Lux Radio Theater and Norman Corwin's Document A/777 (1948). The Screen Guild Theater was a popular radio Anthology series during the Golden Age of Radio broadcast from 1939 until 1952 with leading Hollywood Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 986 - Louis V becomes King of the Franks. 1127 - Assassination of Charles the Good Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Arch Oboler ( December 7, 1909 - March 19, 1987) was a scriptwriter novelist producer and director who was active in films radio and television Lights Out was an extremely popular American Old-time radio program an early example of a network series devoted mostly to horror and the Lux Radio Theater, one of the genuine classic radio Anthology series (NBC Blue Network (1934-1935 CBS (1935-1954 NBC Norman Lewis Corwin (born May 3, 1910) is an American writer Screenwriter, producer essayist and teacher of journalism and writing

She appeared numerous times in episodes of anthology TV shows in the 1950s and, in 1959, made a pilot for her series, The Joan Crawford Show, but the show was never picked up by a network. A television pilot is a test episode of an intended Television series.

Work at Pepsi

Crawford traveled extensively on behalf of husband Al Steele's company, Pepsi Cola Company. PepsiCo Incorporated (Short for Pepsi Company ( is a large conglomerate with interests in manufacturing marketing and selling a wide variety of carbonated and non- carbonated Two days after Steele's death in 1959, Crawford was elected to fill his vacancy on the board of directors.

Crawford was the recipient of the sixth annual "Pally Award," which was in the shape of a bronze Pepsi bottle. It was awarded to the employee making the most significant contribution to company sales.

In 1973, Crawford retired from the company at the behest of company executive Don Kendall, whom Crawford had referred to for years as "Fang. Donald Mcintosh Kendall was born in Sequim Washington in 1921 "

Later career

After her triumph in RKO's Sudden Fear (1952), Crawford continued her career, with films ranging from the cult western film Johnny Guitar (1954) to the drama Autumn Leaves (1956), opposite a young Cliff Robertson. Sudden Fear ( 1952) is an RKO Radio Pictures Feature film starring Joan Crawford and Jack Palance in a noir-ish The Western is a fiction Genre seen in Film, Television, Radio, Literature, Painting and other Visual arts. Johnny Guitar ( 1954) is a Republic Pictures Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge Autumn Leaves ( 1956) is a Columbia Pictures Feature film starring Joan Crawford and Cliff Robertson in an older woman/younger Clifford Parker "Cliff" Robertson III (born September 9, 1925) is an Academy Award - winning American Actor with a By the early 1960s, however, Crawford's status in motion pictures had diminished.

from What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Crawford's starred as "Blanche Hudson," a physically disabled woman and former A-list movie star in conflict with her psychotic sister in the highly successful thriller, What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962). What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American Drama film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich. The A-list is a term that alludes to major Movie stars and/or the most bankable in the Hollywood movie industry. For other uses including various songs titled "Movie Star" see Movie star (disambiguation. Psychosis (from the Greek ψυχή "psyche" for mind or soul and -οσις "-osis" for abnormal condition with adjective psychotic What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American Drama film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich. Despite the actresses' earlier tensions, Crawford suggested Bette Davis for the role of Jane. The movie became a blockbuster.

Crawford played Lucretia Terry in the United Artists movie The Caretakers (1963). This article is about the film studio Previously it was affiliated with a cinema chain bearing its name now owned by Regal Entertainment Group. The Caretakers ( 1963) is a United Artists Feature film starring Joan Crawford and Robert Stack in a story about a mental For her performance in What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Davis was nominated for an Academy Award that year. Crawford secretly contacted all the other Oscar nominees to tell them if they were unable to attend the ceremony, she would be happy to accept the Oscar on their behalf. Both Davis and Crawford were backstage when the absent Anne Bancroft was announced as the winner. Anne Bancroft ( September 17 1931 – June 6 2005) was an American method Actress. That same year, Crawford starred as Lucy Harbin in William Castle's horror/mystery Strait-Jacket (1964). William Castle ( April 24, 1914 &ndash May 31, 1977) was an American Film director, producer, and Horror films are Movies that strive to elicit Fear, Horror and terror responses from viewers Mystery film is a sub-genre of the more general category of Crime film. Strait-Jacket ( 1964) is a Columbia Pictures feature film starring Joan Crawford and Diane Baker in a macabre mother and daughter

Aldrich cast Crawford and Davis in Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964). Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (also known as What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?) is a 1964 American Horror film However, Crawford entered a hospital and after a prolonged absence Aldrich was forced to replace her with Olivia de Havilland. Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916) is a two-time Academy Award -winning actress. There is a long shot in the beginning of the movie, when Miriam gets out of the taxi upon her arrival at the Hollis plantation, that actually shows the back of Joan Crawford's head and not de Havilland's. "When the taxi pulls up with cousin Miriam inside and stops at the foot of the steps, if you look closely before Miriam gets out you can just for a split moment see it is fact Joan Crawford in the back and not Olivia de Havilland. You can't see Crawford's face but you can tell it's her by the black dress and dark sunglasses that she is wearing. When de Haviland as Miriam is seen in the taxi before she arrives she is wearing a white hat and her clothing is light colored. "

Upon her release from the hospital Crawford played the role of Amy Nelson in I Saw What You Did (1965), another William Castle vehicle. I Saw What You Did ( 1965) is a Universal Pictures Feature film starring Joan Crawford and John Ireland in a tale of She starred as Monica Rivers in Herman Cohen's horror/thriller Berserk! (1968). Herman Cohen ( August 27 1925 - June 2 2002) was a producer of B-movies during the 1950s who helped to popularize the teen Berserk! ( 1967) is a Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Ty Hardin, and Judy Geeson in a macabre mother and daughter After the film's release, Crawford guest-starred as herself on The Lucy Show. The Lucy Show is a Television series which ran from 1962 until 1968 The episode, "Lucy and the Lost Star," caused much celebrity fodder as during filming title star Lucille Ball had a very public feud with Crawford. Lucille Ball (August 6 1911 – April 26 1989 was an American comedienne, film television stage and radio Actress, model, film According to Ball, Crawford was often drunk on the set and could not memorize her lines. Ball was said to have requested several times to replace Crawford with Gloria Swanson, who was supposed to have originally filled the role, but bowed out at the last minute. Gloria Swanson (March 27 1899 – April 4 1983 was an Academy Award -nominated Golden Globe -winning American Hollywood When asked during an interview how she had liked working with Ball, Crawford's response was, "And they call me a bitch!"

In October 1968, Crawford's 29-year-old daughter, Christina (who was then acting in New York on the TV soap opera The Secret Storm), needed immediate medical attention due to a ruptured ovarian tumor. October events and holidays Children's Book Week ( England) - First Week of October National Day ( China People's Republic Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U A soap opera is an ongoing episodic work of Fiction, usually broadcast on Television or Radio. The Secret Storm was a Soap opera which aired on CBS from February 1, 1954 to February 8, 1974. Until Christina was well enough to return, Crawford offered to play her role, which the producer readily agreed to. The implausibility of Crawford (then 63) playing a 28-year-old woman was coupled by her apparent state of intoxication on the live telecast. Christina was fired from the role the following year. In her memoir, Mommie Dearest, Christina claimed her mother's behavior contributed to her firing. For the 1981 movie adaptation see Mommie Dearest (film Mommie Dearest is a Memoir and exposé written by Christina Crawford

Crawford's appearance in the 1969 TV film Night Gallery (which served as pilot to the series that followed), marked one of Steven Spielberg's earliest directing jobs. Night Gallery is Rod Serling 's follow-up series to The Twilight Zone that aired on NBC from 1970 to 1973 Steven Allan Spielberg, KBE (Hon (born December 18 1946 is an American Film director, Screenwriter and producer.

Crawford starred on the big screen one final time, playing Dr. Brockton in Herman Cohen's sci-fi/horror Trog (1970), rounding out a career spanning 45 years and over 80 motion pictures. Herman Cohen ( August 27 1925 - June 2 2002) was a producer of B-movies during the 1950s who helped to popularize the teen Trog ( 1970) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford in a story about the discovery of a caveman

Crawford made four more TV appearances, as Stephanie White in an episode of The Virginian (1970), entitled "The Nightmare"; as a board member in an episode of The Name of the Game (1971), entitled "Los Angeles"; as Allison Hayes in the made-for-TV movie Beyond the Water's Edge (1972); and as Joan Fairchild (her final screen performance) on an episode of the television series, The Sixth Sense, entitled, "Dear Joan: We're Going To Scare You To Death" (1972). The Virginian is a western -themed Television series which aired on NBC from 1962 to 1971 for a total of 249 episodes The Name of the Game was an American television series that ran from 1968 to 1971 on NBC, totaling 76 episodes of 90 minutes &mdash an The Sixth Sense was a Paranormal thriller Television series starring Gary Collins and Catherine Ferrar

Personal life

Marriages and residences

In 1929, at the time she wed Douglas Fairbanks Jr. at St. Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr, KBE, DSC ( December 9, 1909 &ndash May 7, 2000) was an American Actor Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Crawford purchased a mansion at 426 North Bristol Avenue in Brentwood, located midway between Beverly Hills and the Pacific Ocean. Brentwood is an affluent district in western Los Angeles, California, United States; it is not to be confused with Brentwood California, in The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth 's Oceanic divisions The home would be her primary residence for the next 26 years. During that period, Crawford had her home decorated and redecorated by William Haines, her former silent movie co-star and lifelong friend, who was much in demand as an interior designer after receiving Crawford's recommendation. Charles William Haines ( January 2, 1900 &ndash December 26, 1973) was an American film actor who was one of the most notable film stars

Crawford had four husbands: actors Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (married June 3, 1929 in New York-divorced 1933); Franchot Tone (married October 11, 1935 in New Jersey-divorced 1939); Phillip Terry (married July 21, 1942 at Hidden Valley Ranch in Ventura County, California-divorced 1946); and Pepsi-Cola president Alfred N. Steele (married May 10, 1955 in Las Vegas, Nevada-his death 1959). Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr, KBE, DSC ( December 9, 1909 &ndash May 7, 2000) was an American Actor Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Franchot Tone ( February 27, 1905 &ndash September 18, 1968) was an American Actor. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 1935 ( MCMXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. Phillip Terry ( March 7, 1909 &ndash February 23, 1993) was an American Actor. Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the US state of California ( Southern California) Alfred Nu Steele ( 24 April 1901 – 4 April 1959) was a US Soft drink businessman Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally

Crawford moved to a lavish penthouse apartment at 2 East 70th St. with her last husband, Alfred Steele. Alfred Nu Steele ( 24 April 1901 – 4 April 1959) was a US Soft drink businessman He died there on April 19, 1959. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Crawford then sold her Brentwood mansion and stayed in New York, moving to a smaller apartment, number 22-G in the Imperial House. She later moved to a smaller apartment in the same building (Apt. # 22-H) where she died, aged 72. She kept a small apartment in Los Angeles for her frequent trips there. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Crawford was well-known for her relationship with her fans, often sending thousands of handwritten replies to fan letters each month. She also worked tirelessly with her official fan club, which disappeared after her death. It was re-established in 2007. [1]

Adopted children

In 1940, as a single, divorced woman, Crawford adopted Christina (born June 11, 1939). Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

She also adopted a boy named Christopher (born April 1941), who, in 1942, was reclaimed by his biological mother. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The third child was Christopher Terry (born 1943). Crawford and Philip Terry adopted him that same year but she changed his name to Christopher Crawford after she and Terry divorced. Phillip Terry ( March 7, 1909 &ndash February 23, 1993) was an American Actor. According to Christina, Crawford changed his birth date because she was afraid he would be taken away. He died of cancer on September 22, 2006 in Greenport, New York. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Greenport New York may refer to Greenport Columbia County New York Greenport Suffolk County New York

She adopted twin girls Cynthia "Cindy" Crawford and Catherine "Cathy" Crawford (born January 13, 1947). Events 532 - Nika riots in Constantinople. 888 - Odo Count of Paris becomes King of the Franks Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Crawford adopted them in June of that year. They were born in Dyersburg, Tennessee, to an unwed mother who died seven days after their birth. Dyersburg is a city in and the County seat of Dyer County, Tennessee, United States, 77 miles (124 km north-northeast of It was said that Crawford was afraid their biological parents might try to reclaim them and therefore claimed they were not twins. Cynthia died on October 14, 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas from complications following a liver transplant. Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States.

Religion

Crawford was raised Catholic by her stepfather, Henry Cassin, a Roman Catholic (although he and Crawford's mother ultimately divorced). Crawford insisted on marrying Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., who was not Catholic, at St. Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr, KBE, DSC ( December 9, 1909 &ndash May 7, 2000) was an American Actor Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

By the late 1930s, Crawford attended The Church of Christ, Scientist. The Church of Christ Scientist was founded in 1879 in Boston Massachusetts, USA, by Mary Baker Eddy, author of the book Science and Health with She would bring her adopted children to that church regularly, but not always weekly. Although Crawford practiced Christian Science, she sought medical care for herself and her children when necessary. Christian Science is believed by its supporters to be a system of spiritually scientific truths which are summed up in the two commandments having one God one Mind one Life Truth

Christina Crawford attended the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy For Girls for her junior and senior years of high school, along with the daughters of non-Catholic actresses Virginia Field and Lana Turner. Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is a private all-girls Catholic High School run by the Dominican sisters of Mission San Jose Virginia Field ( November 4 1917 &ndash January 2 1992) was a British-born film actress Lana Turner ( February 8, 1921 &ndash June 29, 1995) was an Academy Award -nominated American Film Christina Crawford stated in her memoir, Mommie Dearest, that the Catholic doctrines she was taught came as a shock following her experiences with Christian Science. Christina also stated in Mommie Dearest that Crawford considered herself a Catholic despite the fact that she had stopped practicing the faith nearly 50 years before her death.

Final years and death

In 1970, Crawford was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Award by John Wayne on the Golden Globes, which was telecast from the Coconut Grove at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The Cecil B DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in Motion pictures has been given annually since 1952 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at the Golden John Wayne ( May 26, 1907 &ndash June 11, 1979) was an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award -winning American The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and Television programs given out each year during a formal dinner The Ambassador Hotel was a landmark hotel in Los Angeles California and location of the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West She also spoke at her alma mater, Stephens College, from which she never graduated. Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval

A Portrait of Joan, an autobiography written with Jane Kesner Ardmore, was published in 1962 by Doubleday. Crawford's next book, My Way of Life, was published in 1971 by Simon and Schuster. Simon & Schuster Inc, a division of CBS Corporation, is a Publisher founded in New York in 1924 by Richard L Those expecting a racy tell-all were disappointed, although Crawford's meticulous ways were revealed in her advice on grooming, wardrobe, exercise, and even food storage.

In September 1973, Crawford moved from apartment 22-G to the smaller apartment 22-H in the Imperial House. Events in September It is the start of the academic year in many countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Her last public appearance was September 23, 1974, at a party honoring her old friend Rosalind Russell at New York's Rainbow Room. Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Rosalind Russell ( June 4, 1907 – November 28, 1976) was an award-winning American Actress of stage and Russell was battling breast cancer at the time and died two years later in 1976. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On May 8, 1977, Crawford gave away her beloved Shih Tzu "Princess Lotus Blossom," which signaled to her close friends that her death was near. Events 589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo 1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays

Crawford died two days later at her New York apartment from a heart attack, while also ill with pancreatic cancer. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the Pancreas. Each year about 37680 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with this condition and 34290 ^[2] According to her daughter Christina, Crawford's alleged last words were "Damn it. The Last Words were an early punk band from Sydney, Australia. . . Don't you dare ask God to help me," which were directed at her housekeeper, who had begun to pray out loud. God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. ^[10] However, other sources indicate that Crawford was found dead on the bedroom floor by her housemaid. A funeral was held at Campbell Funeral Home, New York, on May 10, 1977. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays All four of her adopted children attended, as did her niece, Joan Crawford LeSueur (aka Joan Lowe), who was the daughter of her late brother, Hal LeSueur (died in 1963). Hal LeSueur ( September 3, 1903 &ndash May 3, 1963) was an American Actor. In her will, which was signed October 28, 1976, Crawford bequeathed to her two youngest children, Cindy and Cathy, $77,500 each from her $2,000,000 estate. In Common law, a will or testament is a document by which a person (the Testator) regulates the rights of others over his or her Property Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. However, she explicitly disinherited the two eldest, Christina and Christopher. In the last paragraph of the will, she wrote, "It is my intention to make no provision herein for my son Christopher or my daughter Christina for reasons which are well known to them. "

A memorial service was held for Crawford at All Souls' Unitarian Church on Lexington Avenue in New York on May 16, 1977, and was attended by, among others, her old Hollywood friend Myrna Loy. Events 1204 - Baldwin IX Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Myrna Loy ( August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993) was an American Motion picture Actress. Another memorial service, organized by George Cukor, was held on June 24 in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, California. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS) is a professional honorary organization ostensibly dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of Motion

Crawford was cremated and her ashes placed in a crypt with her last husband, Al Steele, in Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York. Cremation is the act of reducing a Corpse by burning, generally in a crematorium furnace or crematory fire Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum is located on Secor Road in the hamlet of Hartsdale, town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, about Hartsdale is a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP located in the town of Greenburgh, Westchester County New York.

Crawford's hand and footprints are immortalized in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Grauman's Chinese Theatre is a movie theatre located at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Hollywood Boulevard is a boulevard in Hollywood Los Angeles California, United States, beginning at Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1750 Vine Street. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a Sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood Los Angeles California, USA, that In 1999, Playboy listed Crawford as one of the "100 Sexiest Women of the 20th century," ranking her #84. Playboy is an American Men's magazine, founded in Chicago Illinois, by Hugh Hefner and his associates which has grown into Playboy

Mommie Dearest

A year and a half after Crawford's death, Christina published a bestseller exposé entitled Mommie Dearest which contained allegations that Crawford was emotionally and physically abusive to her and her brother Christopher. For the 1981 movie adaptation see Mommie Dearest (film Mommie Dearest is a Memoir and exposé written by Christina Crawford A bestseller is a Book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade For the 1981 movie adaptation see Mommie Dearest (film Mommie Dearest is a Memoir and exposé written by Christina Crawford Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children Though many of Crawford's friends, as well as her other two daughters, harshly criticized and disputed the book's claims, some believed in the book and her reputation was somewhat tarnished. The book was later made into the 1981 film Mommie Dearest, starring Faye Dunaway as Crawford. Mommie Dearest is a 1981 Paramount Drama film about Joan Crawford, starring Faye Dunaway. Dorothy Faye Dunaway (born January 14, 1941) known as Faye Dunaway, is an American actress. It has been said that this movie was the beginning of the end of Dunaway's career, who enjoyed a massive success in the 70s with such now classics like Network. Network is a 1976 New Hollywood drama film about a fictional Television network, Union Broadcasting System (UBS and its struggle Dunaway has stated that this was indeed the film that somewhat killed her career, and therefore refused to promote its re-releases, now marketed as "a camp classic" by the studio. In the year of its release, Mommie Dearest won 5 of the 9 Razzies (Golden Rapsberry Award, given to "the very worst of film") it was nominated for, including Worst Picture, Worst Actress, Worst Screenplay, Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Supporting Actress. The movie is now regarded as one of the "campiest films of all time. "

Filmography

Main article: Joan Crawford filmography

References

External links

• Joan Crawford at the Internet Movie Database
• Joan Crawford at Find A Grave
• Joan Crawford at Turner Classic Movies
• The Best of Everything
• The Films of Joan Crawford
• The Joan Crawford Fan Club
• Legendary Joan Crawford
• The Concluding Chapter of Crawford
• Photographs of Joan Crawford
• FamilySearch: Lucille Fay LeSueur
• RootsWeb: Dowling Family Tree - Joan Crawford